Experts Call For More Information On Hip Replacement Link To Cancer

Study's Early Findings Raise Concerns

07.02.2012

Product Liability lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have expressed concern over the report in the Daily Telegraph that a study shows a potential link to cancer.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that the study in Britain is still in its early stages but indicated that results have already raised some concerns over the long-term health of patients who have ‘metal on metal ’prosthetic products fitted. The study being carried out by specialists in Bristol has yet to be published but it is thought to reveal that a number of people fitted with these prostheses had suffered genetic damage with three of them going on to develop cancer.

The study has been launched after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recently confirmed it is investigating the safety of metal-on-metal hip implants.

Gary Walker, a product liability lawyer who is representing a number of people who have suffered problems with hip implants including the De Puy ASR and ASL XL range, said it was vital that further information is gathered so that patients can fully understand the potential risks to their health.

He said: “Whilst the study has yet to be made available our clients are clearly concerned about what it may show and how their future health may be affected. We would urge the regulatory agencies to continue to investigate this so that patients can be given unequivocal advice”.

“The issues we’ve seen with the recall of the De Puy ASR demonstrate why it is fundamental that the MHRA ensures all medical devices are fully assessed before they are brought into use.”

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